Before you hire an ecommerce automation agency, find out who owns the account and the money, what the full first-year cost is, which business model they’d choose for your budget, and what they do when the account gets a warning. A good agency answers all four clearly and in writing. If any answer is vague, keep looking.

Sales calls are designed to make you feel confident. These questions are designed to find out whether that confidence is justified. Ask every agency on your list the same twelve questions and write down the answers. That includes us.

Ownership and control

1. Whose name is on the seller account, and who controls the login?

A good answer: “Yours. You hold the main login and add us as a user with limited permissions.” Walk away if the agency wants to own the account or keep the main login.

2. Where do the payouts go?

A good answer: “Straight to your business bank account.” If the agency collects your sales money and passes on a share, you’ve lost control of your own revenue.

3. What happens to the store if I end the contract?

A good answer: “You keep the account, listings, brand and stock, and we hand over the documents and supplier contacts.” Watch for exit fees, or claims that the agency owns the listings or the supplier relationships.

Money and pricing

4. What is my full first-year cost, line by line?

Ask for setup, monthly fees, Amazon fees, inventory, software, ads and a cash buffer. Our Amazon automation cost guide shows what that breakdown should look like.

5. Do you take a share of profit, and how is it calculated?

A profit share can be fair, but only if the contract defines profit clearly and says when the share ends. Check whether it’s worked out before or after the agency’s own fees.

6. Can you show me the numbers on a live product?

Sales screenshots aren’t proof. Ask to see the price, fees, product cost and ad spend for one product, with the account owner’s permission.

Strategy and honesty

7. Which business model do you recommend for my budget, and why?

Wholesale, private label and dropshipping need very different budgets. If every client gets the same model, you’re being sold a package, not advice. We compare the models in how Amazon automation works.

8. What results can I realistically expect, and when?

A good answer covers ranges and risks, not promises. A guaranteed income figure or payback date is a red flag, and it’s the kind of claim the FTC has sued over. See FTC cases against ecommerce automation companies.

9. Which marketplaces suit my products?

Amazon isn’t always the right place to start. A good agency can explain the trade-offs, like those in our Walmart Marketplace vs Amazon comparison.

Risk and day-to-day work

10. What do you do when the account gets a policy warning or a suppressed listing?

You want a named process: who looks at it, how quickly, and how they write the response. “That never happens to our clients” isn’t an answer.

11. Who exactly will work on my account?

Ask for names and roles, and how many accounts each person manages. Ask how often you’ll get reports and what they’ll show.

12. Can I speak to current clients, and does the contract say anything about reviews?

Speak to at least two current clients without the agency on the call. Then check the contract for any clause that limits reviews or ties refunds to removing them. Those clauses are illegal under the Consumer Review Fairness Act.

How to judge the answers

  • Clear answers are specific, written down and include numbers and names. Keep talking.
  • Vague answers sound like “it depends” or “don’t worry.” Ask again, and move on if the answer stays vague.
  • Red flags include guaranteed income, the agency holding your money, or pressure to sign today. Walk away.

One vague answer can be cleared up with a follow-up. Two red flags should end the conversation. For more warning signs, read is Amazon automation legit.

Ask us these questions

We wrote this list knowing you’ll use it on us. Book a call, bring all twelve questions, and we’ll answer each one in writing. See what we manage across Amazon, Walmart, TikTok Shop, Shopify, eBay and Etsy on our services page, or book a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

You keep ownership, the pricing is itemised, there are no income guarantees, and there's a clear process for account problems.

Ask to see the numbers on a live product, and speak to current clients privately. A good agency will happily arrange both.

Be careful with long lock-ins. Check the notice period, any exit fees, and who keeps the account and stock if you leave.

A freelancer usually costs less for one job, like ads or listings. An agency makes sense when you want one team responsible for the whole store.